STANDING AT THE JUDGMENT

"Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment"
Psalm 1:5a


It's not something many like to contemplate at all, not now or ever: the final judgment. Normally it is referred to as "fire and brimstone" preaching. This first Psalm takes it up in quick fashion, and because the Psalter was the Old Testament Hymnal for Jesus and the Apostles, it is fascinating that this topic is the focus of Hymn #1: The Righteous vs. The Wicked.

We must then quickly discern what is meant by this division and titles "righteous" and "wicked." They are legal, courtroom terms, but the Lord's courtroom, a holy courtroom where Godly justice is dispensed. Thus, the righteous meet the legal conditions of the court and the wicked not so. Then who among us can say they keep the Lord's commands? As Psalm 130:3 asks: "If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?" What this infers, taking into account all of Scripture, is that each of our records of sin would be so offensive that none be acquitted on the Day of Judgment. But the psalm continues: "But with you there is forgiveness." Thus, the righteous. Righteous solely because they believe in a Savior, Jesus Christ, who knew no sin, but became the punishment for their sin. (2 Cor. 5:21) Thus, righteous can be equated with having one's sins forgiven by faith in Jesus' death and resurrection for them.

Not so the wicked! They scoff at this! (Psalm 1:1c) They do not walk in this way, this whole life of faith in the gospel (verse 1). Thus, we come to the first word in Psalm 1:5, "therefore." Therefore, because these do not allow Jesus' forgiveness to be theirs, they retain all their sins. Thus, no standing on the day of judgment. As one commentator puts it: "shall not be able to maintain himself or stand his ground when the judgment comes. Keeping the same figure, he shall be obliged to sit down or to retire in shame or confusion as one convicted of guilt."

How wonderful in contrast the righteous! They are trees planted by streams of living water that no matter what the time or season, they always bear fruit and they will stand as exactly what they are: the righteous of the Lord. He knows this. (Psalm 1:6) They shall always prosper in faith given them by their Lord Jesus! Amen.